Who Tripped Me?

In the church and in the world men have come up with a cliché they use to protect their inexcusable choices.  If they don’t want to do something or if they want to do the wrong thing, they will find someone to accuse of offending them.
 
Mathew 15:11-12 It’s not that which goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but that which comes out.  Then the disciples said to Jesus, Your saying offended the Pharisees.
 
The Pharisees are much like some of the politicians we have today.  No matter what Jesus said or our president says, they will not accept it because they don’t believe Jesus or our president are legitimate.  The word offend means to trip up or stumble.  So, who caused the Pharisees to stumble?  They tripped themselves up because they were so full of hatred they would not hear what He said.  Even to this day some folks don’t appreciate God telling them how to live, so “religion” offends them.  If something appears to infringe on their lifestyle, they will challenge that voice and claim they were offended.  Offense is nothing more than a feeble excuse to avoid doing what they need to be doing.
 
Mathew 11:6 Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me.
 
Who are those blessed men who never get offended when God speaks?  They are honest men, folks who will readily admit that God knows everything and they know nothing until He tells them.  They are teachable and correctable because they are humble, they want God’s best and they refuse to limit Him.  These men cannot be offended because they know that God never says anything offensive.  When God says something to some men and they don’t like it, they play the offense card and relieve themselves of accountability.
 
Luke 4:4 It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God. 
 
Does God speak to us in His Word to offend us?  God forbid.  His Words are life and when we receive them, the God kind of life will manifest within us.  Folks who have hard hearts will not hear, they trip themselves up but always find someone to blame.  I am totally convinced that anyone who stands face to face with Jesus will not be able to lie or excuse themselves.  When you look into His eyes and you see His love and power, you will be the most honest person un the world.  When I read His Word I get a sense I am face to face with my Lord.
 
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love Your Word: and nothing will offend them (cause them to stumble, trip up).
 
If you believe God’s Word than you can live a life void of offense.  God says He would give us great peace, which is health and prosperity if we will embrace His Word.  What have we got to lose by obeying God and His Word?  First and foremost we will lose the devil and everything he is plotting to give us.  The devil is the author of offense, he knows what we will reap when we fall into his trap.  When you walk according to God’s Word you will always keep your balance, no tripp’in.

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